- Cheap artwork
When looking for ways to decorate your walls, think outside the box for items that are not an automatic choice for framing. You could, for example, frame an interesting magazine cover, a child’s painting, a piece of needlework, a collection of men’s silk ties, coins, exotic stamps, a photo collage or a map or postcards from your favourite holiday spot. As an example, save the seed packets that are left after you have planted in the spring (open the packets at the back to preserve the graphic fronts). You may already have some small picture frames that you can use; if not, buy inexpensive photo frames. Cover the cardboard backing that comes with the frames in leftover wrapping paper or fabric, and then attach the seed packets with double-sided tape. Now just find the right place to hang your ‘botanical prints’, which are quick, easy, low-cost and a pleasing memento of your summer garden.
- Building a portrait gallery in your home
Before hanging frames of different sizes on one wall, do a ‘dummy run’ on the ground so that you can visualize the effect without wasting your time on failed attempts on the wall. If you’re dealing with a lot of frames, sketch a plan to organize spacing between the paintings, to ensure consistency of height, while allowing for variations in size. Planning ahead like this may also ensure fewer holes in the wall!
- Old frames in new colours
Use leftover paints to refurbish old picture frames for a cost-free way to highlight artwork and add splashes of colour to your home. Remove everything from the frame and clean it well; if the frame is ornate, use damp cotton buds to get into the nooks and crannies. Dry thoroughly, sand lightly if the frame is wood and simply brush or spray with your colour choice. Create a more contemporary look by painting the frame with high-gloss car paint.
- Making unique picture mats
Apart from paintings on canvas, most graphic art is framed under a mat — a cardboard border with a quality paper veneer — that prevents the image from touching (and sticking to) the glass. Cutting mats the meticulous professional way isn’t easy, but even an amateur can make attractive mats with glue and materials found around the house. Start with the cardboard mat that came with the Frame; if the border is just paper, use it as a template to cut a piece of cardboard. Choose something attractive to cover the cardboard. Consider the frame and the photo or artwork and pick something that will complement both. It won’t take much of any of the following to create an individualized mat:
- A remnant of wallpaper
- Curtain or upholstery fabric
- Any leftover medium-weight fabric
- Fake leather, suede or fur
- Wrapping paper or foil
- Parchment paper
- Card stock
- Origami paper
- Shelf- or drawer-lining paper
- Wide ribbon or lace
- Magazine or old book pages
Cut a piece of material that is slightly larger than the dimensions of the mat. Thinly coat the cardboard with glue and then fix the material, smoothing it carefully to eliminate air pockets and creases. When the glue has dried, cut away the material from the outside edges. Now turn the mat face down and cut excess material diagonally from each top corner to opposite bottom corner, taking care not to cut into the cardboard. Fold the flaps over, trim away all but about 1cm and glue the edges.
- Whitewashing a gilt frame
When a new gold gilt or painted frame looks too new, you can tone it down with a wash of white. Dilute a small amount of leftover white acrylic paint with water, or egg white and turpentine, to make a thin wash. Ensure that the frame is clean of dust and grease. Use a clean cotton cloth to apply the wash, wiping away excess paint as you go. Let it dry. One or two coats should be enough — you want to calm down the flashiness of new gilt, not cover it up.
- A CD-case photo gallery
This is a great decorating project for teenagers, who tend to take lots of photos and have plenty of empty CD cases. Twelve or more clear transparent CD cases, stuck to the wall with Blu-Tack or double-sided tape, make a brilliant, ever-changing gallery. Standard cases measure 12.5cm square — just right for many photo prints and other lightweight items. The pictures can be changed instantly, whenever the mood strikes, just by opening the case.
- ‘Clothes line’ photo displays
Create a modern photo display by using these everyday office supplies. Search in your stationery supplies and desk drawers for clear document sleeves and some small metal binder clips. Mount your photos or other items in the sleeves and nail both ends of a length of wire or rope to the wall — like a washing line — leaving a little slack. (If you have some thin computer cable sitting around you can use it to give the display a high-tech look.) Now clip the photo sleeves to the hanging line. It’s so easy to change photos whenever you want, you’ll never get bored by your display.
